Description

Views from the summit are outstanding! 360 degrees of Colorado beauty will be the reward after climbing the last leg of Rabbit Ears Trail and the volcanic towers that give the peak its name.

A few easier climbs can be accessed at the top of the last, uphill, ridge section of the Rabbit Ears summit trail. The back of the Rabbit is the first section of rock you see at the top of the trail. Several different easier routes head up steep, loose trails to wide cracks that lead through the vertical, technical section of the easiest summit climbs. After 30 to 40 feet of chimney wide crack systems, a large ledge provides a belay stance for the rest of the party. A 3rd class scramble ascends for the remaining 50 to 60 feet to the summit.

3 to 4 hour (grade III) round trip from the gate parking lot.

Location

Directly at the end of the approach trail you will see the obvious lines that head up to the top of the "Back of the Rabbit." Other routes, ranging from 120 feet (40m), follow cracks up the back of the rabbit or up the two towers that make up the Rabbit Ears!

Protection

A rope would be a great way to protect this unpredictable conglomerate, volcanic pumice glued together with what appears to be remaining limestone minerals and fossils.

A 10m section of tape, webbing, or spectra for belay anchor, large hexes (small nuts are hard to trust), several slings, etc....